Chanticleers finish fifth at TPC Sawgrass tournament

The Coastal Carolina men’s golf team had three players finish among the top 22 and posted a 302 Tuesday in the final round to finish fifth in the 13-team, Jacksonville University Sea Best Classic, played at the PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.

Florida won with a 54-hole score of 844, followed by Liberty (899), North Florida (902), East Carolina (909) and Coastal Carolina (911).

The Chanticleers were led by Roberto Ballesteros Monday. The sophomore carded an even par 72, posting 17 pars with a birdie on the 14th hole and a bogey on the 15th. Overall, Ballesteros tied for 20th with rounds of 81-75-72 and three-round total of 228.

Sebastian Soderberg was Coastal’s overall best scorer, shooting a nine-over 225 (75-73-77) and tying for 15th. Soderberg had four birdies Tuesday and his 12 birdies over 54 holes was the second-best total for the event. Also, his par five scoring of 4.58 was the second-best average in the field for the three rounds. However, he had eight holes Tuesday over par to settle for his five-over 77.

Kevin Vanden Heuvel recorded his first career top 20 finish, tying for 17th with a 54-holes score of 10-over par 226 (81-70-75). Vanden Heuvel, who had 10 birdies for the event, tied his career-low of 226 for 54 holes.

Andrew Dorn and Charlie Winegardner rounded out Coastal’s fivesome. Dorn tied for 35th with a three-round tally of 233, while Winegardner tied for 49th carding a 239.

The Chanticleers will return to action Feb 13-14 at the University of San Diego Classic, played at the San Diego Country Club.